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[For Seniors] Autumn Origami to Enjoy in October
October brings a real chill in the air, but it’s also a season full of delicious foods and plenty of unique autumn pleasures.
Many senior care facilities incorporate origami as a recreational activity that also helps train fine motor skills.
How about folding or making origami inspired by themes related to October?
In this article, we share ideas for enjoying origami that features flowers, seasonal scenes, and foods representative of autumn and perfect for October.
Even if you can’t go out for Halloween or to see the fall foliage, you can lift your spirits indoors by enjoying origami!
[For Seniors] Autumn Origami to Enjoy in October (1–10)
Chinese bellflower
When you hear “plants of October,” what comes to mind? The one I’d like to introduce here is the balloon flower (kikyo).
Kikyo is a seasonal word for autumn and is also one of the Seven Flowers of Autumn.
Its most notable feature is its vivid purple appearance.
Although it has been declining in recent years and is hard to enjoy in the wild, you can easily capture its charm with origami.
It also makes a striking accent when added after folding other plants.
Or try folding it with origami papers in various shades and textures of purple and display them side by side.
Ghost Pumpkin Basket
Here’s an idea for making a ghost pumpkin basket for Halloween.
In this idea, you start by sticking light green and yellow origami paper back to back, then begin folding.
When it’s finished, you’ll have a basket that looks as if a real pumpkin has been carved out.
After that, draw the eyes and mouth to complete it like a jack-o’-lantern.
The fun part is that you can customize it—make a scary face or a cute one.
Once it’s done, put candy inside and enjoy using it.
acorn
When you think of autumn, you think of acorns.
How about making acorns out of origami? Using brown origami paper, they’re easy to fold, so you can have fun while moving your fingers.
The time spent folding origami has a calming effect on both mind and body, doesn’t it? The finished acorns look cute as room decorations, and it’s also fun to make lots of them and hang them from tree branches.
Savor the season and enjoy origami at a relaxed pace.
You’re sure to have a lovely time.
persimmon
For many people, when it comes to familiar autumn flavors that ripen in the garden, persimmons come to mind.
Why not try folding a persimmon using double-sided origami paper? It’s great for keeping fingers nimble, so it’s recommended as an autumn recreation activity for seniors.
Ideally, use double-sided paper that’s light green on one side and orange on the other, but if you don’t have it, you can substitute by gluing together two sheets of different-colored origami paper.
Seniors who played with origami in the past may enjoy it while reminiscing.
Making lots and decorating the walls with them would look lovely, too!
cosmos
Origami cosmos flowers are lovely.
Being able to enjoy an autumn tradition in the palm of your hand makes the heart leap.
As you carefully fold each petal, your fingers start moving naturally—it might even be good for rehabilitation.
If you create a colorful cosmos field, it could brighten up the room.
It might also be nice to chat together while working.
Displaying the finished pieces will surely make you feel proud.
It seems like it will be a wonderful time where you can savor the joy of creation while feeling the change of seasons.
mushroom
Speaking of autumn, it’s mushroom foraging season.
So how about folding mushrooms out of origami and using them as room decorations this time? Let’s make various mushrooms like matsutake, shiitake, and king trumpet mushrooms.
Sticking the finished mushrooms on the wall will really lift the mood.
For the mushroom caps, you cut folded origami paper: by leaving the base and cutting away part of it, you create a glue tab, resulting in a more three-dimensional mushroom.
For the stems, use fine paper-cutting techniques with a pair of pointed scissors, and be careful not to overcut.
Jack-o’-lantern
As an easy way to get into the Halloween spirit, here’s a fun jack-o’-lantern craft.
First, prepare some orange origami paper and fold it into a pumpkin shape.
Once it’s done, cut small triangles out of black origami paper and stick them on for the eyes and mouth to finish.
It’s fun to customize—try a big smiling mouth or round eyes to change the look.
You can also use the same method to fold a regular pumpkin, which fits the autumn season nicely as well.